Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program
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The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program encourages long-lasting peace and mutual understanding between the U.S. and countries of Eurasia. FLEX provides opportunities for high school students (ages 15-17) to spend a year in the United States, living with a host family and attending an American high school. The FLEX Program was established in 1992, under the FREEDOM Support Act.
The FLEX Program Promotes
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Exchanges: two-way learning and cultivating relationships between Americans and citizens of Eurasia
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Education: increased knowledge about civil society and volunteerism
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Engagement: responsible participation in local community and school activities
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Empowerment: positive contributions to home communities upon return and the individual’s capacity to make change
Participating Countries
The following countries of Eurasia currently participate in the FLEX program: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine.
Program Snapshot
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More than 20,000 high school students from 12 Eurasian countries have studied in the U.S. under FLEX since its inception in 1993.
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Through an open, multi-layered, merit-based competition, approximately one in 30 of the initial applicants is ultimately selected as a participant.
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Every year, approximately 100 current students attend a civic education workshop in Washington, DC to gain a practical understanding of concepts and values fundamental to American society.
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During International Education Week (IEW) each November, students make presentations about their home countries in their schools, at community gatherings, religious congregations and businesses.
Recruitment and Placement
Since 1992, the FLEX program has received an annual allocation from Congress and has been administered by the U.S. Department of State. The State Department awards grants to private, not-for-profit organizations that submit proposals to help run different components of the program. The recruitment and selection process for the program is conducted by the American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS. American Councils also serves as a liaison between the students and their families in their home countries.
Participants are chosen through a multi-layered, merit-based open recruitment and selection process. The selection is based upon English ability, personality, social skills, academic achievement, and leadership potential. All students undergo extensive orientation to life in America and pursue a full course of study at an American high school. The State Department awards grants for school and host family placement and overall student monitoring to private U.S. organizations, including AFS-USA, Inc., AIFS, ACTR/ACCELS, ASSE International, AYUSA, Center for Cultural Interchange, Council on International Educational Exchanges, International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) Foundation, Nacel Open Door, Pacific Intercultural Exchange, PAX–Program of Academic Exchange, and World Link, Inc.
FLEX Alumni
After their exchange year has ended and they have returned home, students have the option to participate in one of the numerous alumni associations active throughout each of the countries of Eurasia. Are you a FLEX alum? If so, visit the State Department Alumni website at http://alumni.state.gov.
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